story craft

Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Genre: YA Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

Cautions: romance some steamy kisses and flirty fae, but that’s the extent of it; content tricks and violence are a normal part of fae life and are a consistent presence, possible mental and emotional manipulation, mentions of death

Main themes: wisdom, light vs. darkness, reality, desire, family, love

Main characters: Althea (Thea) Brenheda, Cal Brenheda, Malcom Brenheda, Mr. Brenheda, Gaia, Eliza Nadell, Talen, Odette, King Bastian, Lord Winster, King Vern, Troi, King Brock, King Leonard, King Thorn, King Arden, Dhalia Severs, Morten, King Ulther

Favorite quote: “Fear keeps you alive . . . . But it doesn’t win the battle.”

Review:
I finished Mortal Queens two days ago, and I’m still not sure I have all the right words. But wow, I adore it. This is the first book I’ve read by Victoria McCombs, but it certainly won’t be my last. Especially because I need more on the mortal queens.

Though the fae are main characters in this story and the human attraction to the fae realm is certainly apparent, neither the beauty of the fae realm nor its dangers are really the focus. At least, not in the typical way. The fae also don’t treat humans like they’re less than, though the fae have a different kind of beauty and power. They do actually seem to love, treasure, and hurt for their mortal queens. But the mortal queen’s continued disappearances raised questions in Thea’s mind just as it raised questions in mine.

Victoria spins a story about far more than romance and fae-human relationships: it’s unraveling mystery; it’s breaking cycles of trauma and lies; it’s exposing the truth, no matter the cost; it’s everything. Mortal Queens gives us a taste of romance in both relationships and the attraction of the fae realm, but the focus isn’t on a romantic relationship. Instead, the crux of the tale seems to rest in the sisterhood of mortal queens, of Thea making sure no more young women, including Thea herself, meet the same dismal fate.

Honestly, as far as side characters go, I quickly fell in love with Talen, Odette, Bash, and even Thorn. But I have so many questions now about where their loyalties truly lie. I also might have some concerns about their definition of love. I guess in this regard, there’s nothing left but to take a wait-and-see approach. And I find myself hoping the wait won’t be too long.

The masks, trickery, riddles, and alliances added a unique and mysterious element to Thea’s tale. She’s mischief and magic, this mortal queen, and I can’t wait to see what she gets herself into (and hopefully out of) as the story continues.



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